Anniversary Surprise

Yesterday continued the long weekend, so we are permitted to count it as part of our anniversary although it was a day after the most-blessed event. ;)

On a lovely and perhaps too-warm day, we went for our usual walk — this time by the back bridges and the spot where we previously found the croci and the scillia. But we'll leave those findings for another time — tomorrow most likely.

When we walked by the former McArthur Mill that is becoming quite a refurbished complex, we noticed that the door was open. We wandered in.

We asked if we could look around and actually ended up receiving a lengthy guided tour. First, however, just beyond the doorway, we came upon the area that will be a cafe.

The actual coffee bar will be just behind me.

Complete with a grand piano, it will be quite the treat, and they are building a patio as well. I stepped onto the unfinished platform and took a picture of the view.

Then, we got a guided tour of the rest of the building. Delightfully, there is all sorts of stonework and woodwork exposed. The floors are all semi-original. By that I mean that they were not the very original floors to the mill, but when the originals dilapidated a long time ago when the mill was still running in full vigour, they built a new floor over top of the very original.

The owner-developer took us into all sorts of rooms: hotel on the right side if you go back to the first 

photo and residences on the left. We viewed so many rooms on both sides that I can't tell you which was which. I can tell you that the hotel side is already functioning, for we saw various unmade beds on a Monday morning. I think this ↓ was an apartment. Just look at those windows and the view. Can you imagine having your morning coffee by those windows?

We were told that the river could be seen from every window. This ↓ window, also has a view of the giant chimney, whish will remain in place, and you can see a bit of the river on the bottom right. They will use the base of that chimney for a wood-fired oven by the patio.

What can I add? We stumbled onto an unexpected treat and really appreciated and enjoyed our tour. The developer generously took his time with us on a beautiful Queen Victoria Day.

We are looking forward to stopping by the cafe, which should be open for business in  month or so.